Posted by Israel Industries press review of the week on novembre 25th, 2012

The Startup Genome released the first half of its massive 160-page report on the world’s top startup ecosystems. Of the many moving parts of the report, the most noteworthy (and potentially controversial) is it’s so-called Startup Ecosystem Index, which ranks the world’s top 20 startup ecosystems, a la college football.

The ambitious, collaborative R&D project known as “Startup Genome” was created by three young entrepreneurs, who set out a benchmarking tool that leverages the research project’s data to enable startups and their founders to evaluate their progress compared to others in their space and help them make more informed product and business decisions by “utilizing a data-driven feedback loop”.

Today, nearly two years after the project began, the team has compiled data on more than 50,000 startups around the world through Startup Compass and more than 50 in-depth, qualitative interviews conducted with entrepreneurs and investors. The report compiled a global ranking of startup ecosystems based on a 50-variable, 8-component index, which includes Startup Output, Funding, Company Performance, Talent, Support Infrastructure, Entrepreneurial Mindset, Trendsetting Tendencies and Ecosystem Differentiation.

Unsurprisingly, atop the rankings sits Silicon Valley. Coming in second is Tel Aviv, followed by Los Angeles, Seattle, New York City and Boston, before crossing the Atlantic to London — which ranked as the largest ecosystem in Europe. While five of the top startup ecosystems in the world are in the U.S., the rest of the world is catching up.

Unknown hackers gained access to thousands of Italian certified email accounts, including those of magistrates and security officials, in a major cyber attack earlier this month, a senior official said on Monday.

Middle East ride-hailing firm Careem has been working with investment bank Jefferies as an adviser on investment options and fundraising, including a potential Middle East M&A deal with Uber Technologies, three sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.

Tesla Inc could be interested in partnering with Daimler AG's Mercedes-Benz on an electric version of its Sprinter van, Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk said in a tweet https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1064541185820114944 on Monday.